When the ancient Polynesians invented surfing, they often used a paddle to help them navigate. Fast-forward a few millennia, and Stand-Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, finds itself trendy again. Part of its increasing popularity is that standing upright allows surfers to spot waves more easily and thus catch more of them, multiplying the fun factor. Paddling back to the wave becomes less of a strain as well. The ability to cruise along on flat inland water, surveying the sights, is another advantage. Finally, its a good core workout. If youre sold on the idea, schedule an intro SUP lesson, free with board and paddle rental, and you may find yourself riding the waves like a Polynesian king.More

Many of us remember coming home from our elementary schools with freshly glazed pinchpots, cups, or whatever else our young imaginations could conjure up. Saturday mornings at the Randall Museum can bring that memory back, or create a new one for the youngsters. Ceramics make great gifts — especially on Mothers' and Fathers' Day. Hop on board for the Randall's once-weekly class, and for $6 and two weeks to have your work fired and glazed, you'll have all the materials you need.More

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Denise Katrina Matthews, who went by the name Vanity, passed away at the age of 57 in a Fremont hospital on Monday. The lead singer of the Prince-backed '80s girl group Vanity 6 had battled kidney failure for years, and more recently, an abdominal illness.

Matthews created a GoFundMe page in Sept. 2014 to raise funds for her medical conditions, specificially sclerosing encapsulating peritontis, which she was diagnosed with last fall. On the site's page, she claimed that she wanted to republish her autobiography, Blame It On Vanity, to help fund the ongoing medical bills she had received for the 23 surgeries she had over the years and her continued three times a week dialysis.
The singer, who battled a crack addiction in the '90s, overdosed in '94, which led to her kidney failure.

Her biggest hit was 1982's "Nasty Girl" and the group toured with Prince on his 1999 tour. Matthews signed a solo record deal with Motown Records and also starred in movies like The Last Dragon and Action Jackson.

Matthews became a born-again Christian in the '90s after she quit drugs and left Hollywood. According to TMZ, she had attended church the Saturday evening before her death.

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Sub Pop recording artists 'clipping.' brought their brand of noise-driven experimental hip hop to the closing night of 2016's San Francisco Electronic Music Fest this past Sunday. The packed Brava Theater hosted an initially seated crowd that ended the night jumping and dancing against the front of the stage. The trio performed a set focused on their recently released Sci-Fi Horror concept album, 'Splendor & Misery', then delved into their dancier and more aggressive back catalogue, and recent single 'Wriggle'.
Opening performances included local experimental electronic duo 'Tujurikkuja' and computer music artist 'Madalyn Merkey.'"